Today’s teenagers are more digitally connected than ever. The majority have access to smartphones and use social media, and nearly half say they are online almost constantly. To better understand their experiences, Pew Research Center surveyed both teens and parents on a range of screen time-related topics. The questions explored the emotions teens tie to their devices, the impact of smartphones on youth, and the challenges parents face when raising children in the digital age.
The survey of 1,453 U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 and their parents was conducted Sept. 26-Oct. 23, 2023.
Key findings from the survey:
- Phone-less: 72% of U.S. teens say they often or sometimes feel peaceful when they don’t have their smartphone; 44% say it makes them feel anxious.
- Good for hobbies, less so for socialization: 69% of teens say smartphones make it easier for youth to pursue hobbies and interests; fewer (30%) say it helps people their age learn good social skills.
- Parental snooping: Half of parents say they have looked through their teen’s phone.
- Smartphone standoffs: About four-in-ten parents and teens report regularly arguing with one another about time spent on their phone.
- Distracted parenting: Nearly half of teens (46%) say their parent is at least sometimes distracted by their phone when they’re trying to talk to them.
Teens’ views on screen time and efforts to cut back
How teens feel when they don’t have their phone
Do teens think smartphones are negatively impacting young people?
Teen Views by Gender and Age
Do parents think they spend too much time on their phone?
How often are parents distracted by their phone when talking with their teen?
Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/03/11/how-teens-and-parents-approach-screen-time/